8/1 Moon Dice of serious interest
The big betting race of the day is the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham (2.20), and the progressive Irish raider Moon Dice is of serious interest at 8/1.
Paul Flynn’s gelding has proved a revelation since being switched to handicaps, scoring in runway style at Limerick before defying a 15lb hike in the weights to land the ultra-competitive Galway Hurdle in July.
He showed a tremendous attitude that day and dug deep to pull 4 1/2 lengths clear of Fosters Cross and had the classy The Real Article (to whom he was conceding 8lb) a further 2 1/2 lengths behind in fourth.
The Real Article has since gone on to land two Grade 2 events and is now officially rated 153, so even though Moon Dice races off a career high mark of 144 there is every reason to believe that he could still be one step ahead of the handicapper.
Another plus is that he has been kept fresh with this race in mind, and given that he has won impressively in the past after lay-offs there is little doubt that he will be spot on for this.
The form of his Galway win looks absolutely rock solid and given his upwardly mobile profile it would be no surprise if there was not even more to come from the six-year-old.
I find it impossible to pick holes in his credentials, and at 8/1 with Betfred (who are paying 1/4 odds 1,2,3,4,5) he looks an each-way steal.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts each-way Moon Dice (8/1 Betfred, 1/4 odds 1,2,3,4,5 – BOG)
10/1 Tenor can hit the high notes
Tenor Nivernais looks handicapped to take all the beating in the 2.55 at Cheltenham and makes plenty of each-way appeal at 10/1.
The gelding was twice successful over hurdles in France before joining Venetia Williams, and after showing promise in his first two starts in this country ran a stormer to finish seventh of 23 to What A Charm in the Fred Winter.
He caught the eye in no uncertain terms that day, staying on strongly up the hill having been left plenty to do and being hampered at a crucial stage.
There is little doubt in my mind that he would have finished in the money granted a slightly more positive ride and better look in running and he looks the type to keep on the right side this season.
His run in the Fred Winter came off a rating of 124, and he start’s off this campaign from exactly the same mark.
Given that he is till only four and remains lightly raced and totally unexposed that gives him a great chance from a handicapping perspective.
Another major plus is that connections are stepping him up in trip this afternoon.
All his runs last season suggested to me that stamina would be his forte, and today’s 2m 5f journey looks absolutely ideal.
I had him priced up at no bigger than 7s for this, so at the 10/1 available he looks cracking value.
Daily Sport recommended bet: 3pts each-way Tenor Nivernais (10/1 Ladbrokes – BOG)
Gauvain a solid bet at 3s
Gauvain looks a solid bet at 3/1 to land the 1.45 at Cheltenham today for the second year running.
Nick William’s gelding put in an impressive performance in the race last year when beating Forpadydeplasterer by four lengths, and although he failed to build on that in subsequent outings it could be that first time up is the time to catch him.
He came into last year’s race on after 576 days on the sidelines and he has also performed well after length lay-offs in the past.
Clearly a difficult horse to train, the nine-year-old has not been seen in action since March but has a touch of class on his day and this year’s renewal is far weaker than 12 months ago.
There is little doubt in my mind that if he is at his best he will take all the beating, and as he has everything in his favour the 3s on offer looks too big.
Daily Sport recommended bet: win Gauvain (3/1 Betfred, Ladbrokes – BOG)
*Fancy a flutter on the go? Join the Daily Sport’s mobile casino at http://mcasino.dailysport.co.uk and get a £5 Free sign-up bonus to enjoy sexy poker, slots, roulette, blackjack and virtual greyhounds.